The future of some of America's favorite snack foods is in doubt. Hostess Brands, Inc., has asked a bankruptcy court for permission to liquidate if a labor dispute can't be solved quickly.

The maker of such things as Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, and the union that represents about one-third of its workforce have not been able to reach a contract agreement. Union members have been on strike since Nov. 9.

Hostess said that if enough of the striking workers didn't return to the job by the end of business on Thursday, Nov. 15, the company would ask the court to allow it to sell its assets and shut down. That could happen as early as Nov. 20.

The business began in 1919 when it introduced its first product, the Hostess CupCake. Six years later, Continental Baking wanted to add the snack food to complement its main product, Wonder Bread.

The company found a gold mine in 1930 when it began to produce Twinkies. They were sold for a nickel and soon became a top-seller. Today, more than a half billion Twinkies are made every yea